Serum-protein markers in systemic lupus-erythematosus

Serum protein markers (α1-AT, Bf, C3, C4A, C4B, Hp and Tf) were studied in a series of 36 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and compared to normal blood donors. In agreement with the results of previous investigations a significant increase of complement C4 deficiency was found among the SLE patients. The relative risks for AQO and BQ0 homozygosity were 7.2 and 4.1, respectively. Simultaneous occurrence of AQO and BQ0 was found in three patients with a calculated relative risk of about 65. A significant increase of the haptoglobin type 2–2 (p < 0.05) was found among SLE patients. The remaining serum protein systems showed no statistically significant associations with SLE.